The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals

Honourable East India Company Medal for the Capture of Seringapatam 1799, Calcutta Mint striking in silver for the native troops of Bengal, fitted with silver loop for suspension, very fine and rare
£400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Ritchie Collection of H.E.I.C. and British India Medals.

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On the return to Bengal of the native troops belonging to that Presidency who had been in service in Southern India, and were present at Seringapatam - viz. the 10th Native Infantry, three battalions of Volunteers, and detachments of Artillery Lascars - the Commander-in-Chief suggested that Government should mark their approbation of the distinguished services of those corps by the bestowal of a medal as on former occasions. The Governor-General concurred, and General Orders were published granting medals to the native ranks of the troops in question, gold medals for the native officers and silver medals for the other ranks. In this respect therefore the Bengal native soldiers were far more highly favoured than any of the other troops, European or Native, who served in the campaign. The manufacture of the medals was entrusted to the Calcutta Mint and carried out in 1808, a total of 83 being struck in gold and 2786 in silver.